Microchipping

Microchipping

Microchipping your pet cat or dog is very important. If your pet becomes lost then you are far more likely to become reunited if he or she is microchipped.

What is a microchip and how does it work?

A microchip is a permanent method of electronic identification. The chip itself is very small – about the size of a grain of rice – and is implanted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades at the back of your pet's neck. Each chip has a unique number that is detected using a microchip scanner. The microchip number is recorded on a database registry with details about the animal and owner. Should your pet stray or become lost, vets, animal shelters and local councils can scan your pet for a microchip and contact you via the database.

It is very important to keep your contact details up to date on the database so that if you move house or change your phone number you will still be contactable in the event of your pet becoming lost/stray.

Ideally your pet cat or dog should be microchipped prior to you purchasing or adopting your pet. This is the only way to effectively trace the origin of the cat/dog. However, if your pet is not yet microchipped then we recommend that you make an appointment to do so with your vet (even in those states where microchipping is not yet compulsory).

If a pet is transferred to a new owner, the new owner must ensure their contact details are recorded on the database.

Microchipping for cats and dogs is mandatory in ACT, NSW, QLD, VIC and WA. Microchipping for dogs only is compulsory in TAS.

Section 84 of the Domestic Animals Act 2000 and Regulation 7 of the Domestic Animals Regulation 2001 requires microchipping of cats and dogs prior to sale/transfer and by 12 weeks of age.

Regulations 7 and 9 of the Domestic Animals Regulation 2001 outline what information must be recorded in the microchip database.

NSW

Yes.

Section 8 of the Companion Animals Act 1998 requires microchipping of cats and dogs prior to sale/transfer and by 12 weeks of age.

Regulation 8 of the Companion Animals Regulation 2008 outlines what information must be recorded in the microchip database.

NT

No.

QLD

Yes.

Section 14 of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 requires microchipping of cats and dogs prior to 12 weeks of age unless there is a reasonable excuse (such as a signed veterinary certificate that it would be detrimental to the animal’s health to implant it or it is an exempt dog).

Schedule 2 of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and Schedule 4 of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Regulation 2009 outline what information must be recorded in the microchip database.

Section 15A of the Dog Control Act 2000 requires microchipping of dogs by 6 months of age. Part 3 of the Cat Management Act 2009 requires microchipping of cats by 6 months of age.

VIC

Yes.

Section 10C of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 requires cats and dogs to be microchipped as a condition of registration (which is compulsory once the animal is 3 months of age). However the requirement to microchip prior to sale/transfer under section 12A only applies to domestic animal businesses.

Regulation 12 of the Domestic Animals Regulations 2005 outlines what information must be recorded in the microchip database.

Section 12A (2) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994 requires an animal’s microchip number to be displayed in any advertisement for the animal, but not at the point of sale. If the seller is a ‘domestic animal business’ the breeder must display the microchip number or the breeder registration number, and the name of the issuing Council.

WA

Yes.

Microchipping has been introduced for all dogs in WA from the following dates:

From 1 November 2013, dogs must be microchipped when they are registered for the first time or when a change of ownership occurs.

By 30 November 2013 all dangerous dogs, which includes restricted breeds, and commercial security dogs, must be microchipped.

By 1 November 2015, all dogs must be microchipped.

For cats, Sections 14 and 23 of the Cat Act 2011 requires microchipping of cats prior to transfer/sale and by 6 months of age.

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